The inclusion of 500-1 restricted-class galloper Skyfire to tangle with the mighty Winx in Saturday’s Group I Turnbull Stakes could prompt a change in racing rules in the future.
The David versus Goliath battle at Flemington on Saturday has sparked further discussion and debate amongst Victorian officials on whether to put a specific ratings restrictions on Saturday races.
With the Winx fear factor scaring off rivals and limiting the Group I Turnbull Stakes field to just seven, the Amy Johnston-trained Skyfire will be simply making up the numbers.
Skyfire, who ran fifth in a benchmark78 at Mornington at 100-1 last Saturday, has a rating of 61.
It’s only a lazy 71 rating points shy of the world’s best horse Winx (132).
While Winx ($1.16) will be aiming for 21 straight wins, Skyfire ($501) will be aiming not to finish last and be beaten the length of the Flemington straight.
It is debatable whether Skyfire should have been allowed into the field, given that just last month maiden galloper One Hot Dane was excluded from the Group II McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley because his form was not deemed good enough.
Racing Victoria manager of racing operations, Paul Bloodworth, conceded Skyfire’s form was nowhere near up to Turnbull Stakes standard.
Bloodworth said officials had looked at the possibility under a Victorian rule of excluding Skyfire from the Turnbull field, but decided against it.
"If it had have been a weight-for-age race it might have been a different story, but the fact is under set weights and penalties conditions a horse like Skyfire is getting weight off horses like Winx and Humidor,” Bloodworth explained.
"In the end it was a decision for owners and connections whether they wanted to run in the race.”
Bloodworth said the Skyfire scenario had crystalized the need for ongoing discussions among officials about the merits of allowing some horses into Saturday races.
"The discussion we are having is whether we have a look at whether we might put some ratings restrictions on races on a Saturday, where horses who don’t have a certain number of ratings points should be excluded,” Bloodworth said.
"We will have that discussion and talk to the ATA (Australian Trainers’ Association) about the issue going forward.''
There is some good news for six-year-old Skyfire on Saturday after if he gets lapped.
Firstly, the Turnbull Stakes pays back $10,000 for running seventh (last).
Skyfire has only earned a bigger prizemoney cheque once in his 28-start career.
And Skyfire has some serious competition for last in the shape of Magicool ($301) who has barely fired a shot since winning the Group I Queensland Derby in 2015.
Magicool has a series of duck eggs next to his name in the form guide after being beaten 17.2 lengths, 12.3 lengths and 10 lengths at his last three racetrack appearances.
Magicool has had a crack at the Turnbull Stakes in the past. The son of Fastnet Rock finished 14th of 15 in the 2015 Turnbull Stakes when in the care of his previous trainer Mark Kavanagh.
You probably can’t blame the connections of Skyfire and Magicool for having a throw at the stumps in the Turnbull.
In some senses, it is like a park cricketer getting the chance to bowl to Don Bradman.
You know you are going to get whacked out of the park, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you can one day tell your grand-kids about.
